History of Camp Winnamocka
| Camp Winnamocka has been a dream of our entire family since 1979. It was this year that we began creating the small wonders that make Winnamocka what it is today. I remember weekends, as a kid, were spent building arching bridges, boats, rafts, trails, forts, Indian teepees, and so much more. Disney World couldn't have hired more creative, adventuresome designers and builders. As my brother, Tony, and I reached the age of sixteen it was time to start up our very own business, Camp Winnamocka Day Camp. With the help of our parents we spent our days recruiting Arkadelphia kids to our newly founded, but well-established camp. For the first time my family was able to share our years of hard work and Tom Sawyer - Huck Finn fun with our community. And what a hit it was. Over The years we created more and more activities, dug more lagoons, built more boats, and watched the kids of Arkadelphia grow up a little more every summer. Tony and I couldn't believe the kids that would travel from all over the States to spend weeks with grandmothers, aunts, uncles, and friends just to come to our Camp Winnamocka. |
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Yet, with all this awesome response there were still dreams and ideas stirring. Over the years so many people had wanted us to build an overnight facility. My father had always wanted his own personal Fort Boonesborough, and so the idea took off. To complete such a task I happened to marry the most perfect guy. And guess what? He is a master builder! So Fort Jackson was built and we actually get to live in the Trading Post within feet of all the kids who have made my work so rewarding. |
The Wilderness Lodge, our log and glass structure with decks over our newly formed Lake Adirondack, was our next task. It is the most amazing log structure where many delicious home cooked meals are whipped up, then quickly disappear. And so our little camp we created many years ago is now available for kids everywhere, of all ages, from different backgrounds, who have one goal in common... old-fashioned fun, laughter, and friendship.
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What lies ahead for Camp Winnamocka? Perhaps, in the future a new edition of a giant castle across the lake for our campers. Whatever adventure lies ahead, you can be sure of one thing... Camp Winnamocka will forever be a place for the perfect kid vacation, and where magic, adventure, and imagination become reality. |
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